Please join us in celebration of the launch of author Karen Doornebos’ second novel, Undressing Mr. Darcy, published today by Berkley Trade.

Karen has joined us to chat about her inspiration to write her new book, a humorous contemporary romance inspired by the chemistry between Jane Austen’s characters Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Her publisher, Berkley, has also generously offered a giveaway chance for a paperback copy of Undressing Mr. Darcy to three lucky winners. Just leave a comment with this blog post to enter. The contest details are listed below. Good luck to all.

Thank you for joining us Karen.

Inspiration for Undressing – shall we say – a flame?

Laurel Ann asked me to talk a bit about my inspiration for Undressing Mr. Darcy. Full disclosure: when I was researching Regency male clothing for my first novel, Definitely Not Mr. Darcy, I hit upon an English website called The History Wardrobe that did a show called Undressing Mr. Darcy. It seems a “Mr. Darcy” would disrobe down to his drawers while a woman lectured about his articles of clothing.

Wow. What more could a Darcy fangirl ask for?! I never saw the show and it’s now defunct, but my imagination started clicking and it wasn’t long until I came up with:

He’s an old-fashioned, hardcover book reader from England who writes with a quill pen. She’s a modern American career woman, hooked on her social media. Can he find his way into her heart without so much as a GPS?!

There is no better way to describe the air between Darcy and Elizabeth than: flammable in a good way. And I love that! I loved it at 16 years old when I read Pride and Prejudice and I love it now. There isn’t any sex in Austen, but P&P is especially rife with sexual tension, and the entire book feels ready to ignite at the inevitable union of Darcy and Elizabeth.

In Undressing Mr. Darcy I haven’t tried to recreate Darcy and Elizabeth, but rather, bring a similar kind of energy to Julian, who has been called “adorably old-fashioned” by RT Book Reviews, and Vanessa, my thoroughly modern Millie.

I also think the eternal appeal of Darcy and Elizabeth happens to be the fact that they need to learn something from each other. They came into each other’s lives to be educated, so to speak, by each other. They need to calibrate and recalibrate. Likewise, my flawed characters need to learn a thing or two from each other—but do they? Who learns and who doesn’t?

When, back in 2011, I stumbled across the Undressing Mr. Darcy idea, what I didn’t know was that a pirate would get into the mix. To say this character was inspired by Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow would be…true! Does he bear any resemblance to Wickham? You’ll have to read and find out!

Yet, as much as I enjoy the romance, the teasing, the push and pull, I like learning something as I read (back to that learning thing again)! That’s why I think Austenprose readers will especially enjoy Undressing. Aside from the Jane Austen Society of North America gatherings and Jane Austen Festivals, I delve into Jane Austen’s life, weaving into the story a bright colored ribbon of biography to follow along with (but not in a lecturing, pedantic way)!

To educate myself, I reread Austen’s letters to her sister Cassandra. I traveled to Bath, Chawton and London to see what she saw and experience for myself her cottage, especially juxtaposed with her brother Edward’s massive inherited estate. One of the most poignant moments and certainly a highlight of my trip was seeing Austen’s writing desk at The British Library in London. I incorporated all of this into the book: a modern American woman’s perspective of Austen. Yet, when we analyze Austen, we analyze ourselves, do we not?

Austenprose readers, check out the first chapter of Undressing Mr. Darcyhere!

So much more to say, but I have to thank Laurel Ann again for hosting me on this special day! So great to be here.

A * wave * from the top of Bath Abbey!

On each leg of the Undressing Mr. Darcy Blog Tour, I’m taking you along for a ride to England, where I traveled during the summer of 2012 to do some research for my new book. Where am I on this stop? I climbed the 212 steps to the top of Bath Abbey for the panoramic views of the hills and crescents. Afterwards I promptly treated myself to a fluffy Bath bun at the famous Sally Lunn’s, established in 1680 in a house built in 1482… The bun arrived smothered in butter and strawberry jam, but the real topper was enjoying that and peppermint tea in Sally Lunn’s Jane Austen Room!

His gloves. At each stop on the Undressing Mr. Darcy Blog Tour, Mr. Darcy will strip off another piece of clothing. Keep track of each item in chronological order and at the end of the tour you can enter to win a GRAND PRIZE of the book’s, “DO NOT DISTURB I’m Undressing Mr. Darcy” door hangers for you and your friends, tea, and a bottle of wine (assuming I can legally ship it to your state). US entries only, please.

Thank you Karen for joining us today on Austenprose. Best wishes on the success of your new book.

Please visit us on December 11 for our review of Undressing Mr. Darcy.

Author Bio: Karen Doornebos is the author of Undressing Mr. Darcy published by Berkley, Penguin. Her first novel, Definitely Not Mr. Darcy, has been published in three countries and was granted a starred review by Publisher’s Weekly. Karen lived and worked in London for a short time, but is now happy just being a lifelong member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and living in the Chicagoland area with her husband, two teenagers and various pets—including a bird. Speaking of birds, follow her on Twitter and Facebook! She hopes to see you there, on her website www.karendoornebos.com and her group blog Austen Authors.

A GRAND GIVEAWAY

Enter a chance to win one of three copies available of Undressing Mr. Darcy, by Karen Doornebos by leaving a comment including your favorite Mr. Darcy quote from Pride and Prejudice, or by asking Karen a question about her writing process or the characters in her new book. The contest is open until 11:59 pm PT, December 11, 2013. Winners will be drawn at random from the comments and posted on Thursday, December 12, 2013. Shipment to US addresses only. Good luck to all.

I’ve been eagerly anticipating this book’s release since I heard about it; it looks hilarious, and hot! :) Congratulations, Karen, on your new book release! Do you use any music to get you into the writing mood, or do you prefer to work in silence?

Hi Trai! Thank you so much for your enthusiasm! I usually listen to classical music as I’m writing, but I have a playlist of alternative/pop songs on my iPod that I use to take a walk with…working out story problems as I walk. I put together a novel playlist to help me with things… Thanks for asking!

Ellen, knowing what I know, I could not live without modern hygiene, purified water, and today’s medical care. Of course, future medical care will be much better…but there’s no going back. And did Regency England allow women to visit coffeehouses? Not generally. That would not work for me!

Oh, Mr. Darcy! I love that man, and I love the prospect of this book! I think that one of my favorite Darcy quotes comes from the letter that he writes to Elizabeth (which I highlighted in its entirety in my first copy): “I will only add, God bless you.” *sigh*

Hi Karen,
Congratulations on your new novel! I had the pleasure of meeting you in Chicago, and I look forward to reading Undressing Mr. Darcy. Wonder how long it took you to write and if you write every day.

I have my advance copy so I don’t need to win. But I must have my dome of this conversation. I noted a Lucy n Edward Ferrars subtext, as well a hint of Knightley. Was this by design or just the creative stars aligning magically?

“I cannot forget the follies and vices of other so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost is lost forever” – Darcy

What a unique and interesting storyline you have chosen, Ms. Doornebos, and I am intrigued after reading your first chapter! A favorite quote of Darcy’s…partially because it is at my favorite spot in the story… “There is also one other person in the party… who more particularly wishes to be known to you. Will you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance …?”

My favorite quote of Mr.Darcy is when he tells Miss Bingley ” I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.” It is just too good.

I’ve only just started P&P, I’m desperately behind on blogging about it, but my favourite quote so far is…
“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.” Its like when you say your never going to eat ice cream again and you do… here Mr. Darcy is setting himself up not realizing that this is the woman of his dreams ;)

I don’t remember the exact quote but when he and Elizabeth discuss living away from family when he visits her at the Collins home. Dropping a hint about leaving home and joining him. Good luck with your fantastic book!!

my absolute favorite is : “In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” — but since that has already been taken above – I will go with my second choice: “You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings, and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.” — I hope that I should be able to come off with such a quip if ever I was smacked down as harshly as Elizabeth refuses Darcy in that scene.

Favorite P & P quote? That’s like asking me what my favorite candy is. But to paraphrase one of my favorites – Quoting Mr. Bennet upon the prospect of Miss Elizabeth receiving a marriage proposal from Mr. Collins: “You have before you a choice, If you refuse Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet will never speak to you again and if you accept him I will never speak to you again.”

I always amazed at how well written most of these modern parallel adaptions of Jane Austen’s novels turn out. Thanks for the generous offer and I wish you every success.

Thanks to reading “Undressing Mr. Darcy,” I chose to get an Android phone so I could buy the Ask Mr Darcy App (patterned on the Magic 8 Ball). It allows Mr. Darcy to weigh in with much-needed advice at any time of the day or night. So, Karen Doornebos, let me be the first reader to say that your newest book has improved her life on a daily basis.

I can’t wait to read this! After writing Jane Austen and the Archangel (and then casting the audiobook), I took a break and wrote a contemporary baseball series (Love Bats Last), loved doing it, but now–now!–can’t wait for more of Jane! And I love your premise! Have fun our your tour!

Enjoyable post! I love finding out how a book is born. As to quotes, so many have picked my favorites already. I also love the part where he is surprised to see her at Pemberley and asks twice after her family. I’m so envious of your research trip. Thanks for sharing and congrats on the new release!

How can I not say the one almost everyone will say, it is so well known and loved for a reason I suppose. “In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how much I ardently admire and love you.”

Congrats on the new book! And I must say I love the cover. Very good shelf appeal and it is modern but also period in some way at the same time. Bravo! Can’t wait to read and maybe review it!

I remember reading about the History Wardrobe show! It sounded like great fun, although an audience with JAFFers would probably be rather raucous. As for a question about your writing process, I am curious as to how much historical research you do – particularly, how do you know when to stop researching?